3r Friday 16th May. 1997 issue 1087 http://www.su.ic.ac.uk/Felix est. 1949 FELIX Student Newspaper of Imperial£ollege The election for next In Something for the year's ICU President Weekend: win tick- moves on a stage with ets to see Relic, the the hustings and inter- art of George Grosz view this week. Page 2. and loads of music. Hustings reveal muddle Security JITEN PATEL call in the At this week's Imperial College Union Presidential hustings at St Mary's and dBs the sole candidate dogs Clare Bunstan was grilled intensively with the main topic of the meetings MARIA IOANNOU being the impending merger of IC Dog patrols are set to become a com- with the medical schools. mon sight on campus with Imperial At a tame St Mary's hustings on College Security taking new mea- Tuesday, Clare was asked many sures in an attempt to clamp down on times how she would handle the inte- crime. The majority of the handlers gration of the two unions and their will be trained during July and the students. Her answers seemed to rep- patrols should be fully operational by resent the general consensus of opin- August. ion of the medics saying that "the Dog patrols were introduced at Mary's clubs and societies will stay Clayponds earlier this year as an independent, and if they want to emergency measure in.an attempt to merge with their ICU counterparts put a stop to what was described by then they can." Ken Weir, Chief Security Officer at Questions were raised over the IC, as a "mini crimewave". "It has possibility of a centralised bar man- definitely worked in the case of ager who would run all the bars of Clayponds" commented Mr Weir, ICU, which would include the bar at "where we were once having at least the Mary's site, was one that brought three crimes a week reported to us, up a many different views, most of after installing the dog patrols we which were her own. When first have only had three crimes reported questioned, she was in favour of the to us since November." Mr Weir proposed system noting that "we can added that it was a financially sound learn from each other" about how to proposal "to have the same effect as run the services, but when the medics one dog you would need two or pos- stated that "we don't want it" Clare sibly three security officers." seemed to be lost for words and then According to Mr Weir, "it is the replied that maybe the bar could be deterrent value of the dog patrols that run by the medics. When later asked is most effective in reducing crime, by Piers Williams, the current although professional thieves plan Deputy President for Finance & for dogs, opportunist thieves, who Services, "how easy will it be to run for us pose the biggest problem, tend the bar once all the administration of not to go up against dogs. The Mary's SU moves to ICU after next implied threat of being caught by a year?", she commented on the need security officer with a dog acts as a of some kind of centralised system, deterrent to the criminal fraternity." changing her mind for the second The imminent merger of the vari- time. When questioned about her ous medical bodies also, Mr Weir views of the "apparent Mary's block feels, provides an argument for vote", Clare replied "they (medics) PHOTO: MATTHEW bringing in the dogs, "As from the seem to have a feel for the union" Clare Bunstan in full flow on Wednesday evening. Ms Bunstan fielded an and that "they just choose wisely." 1st of August, making sure that array of questions covering the medical merger to her political beliefs. merger sites, like the National Heart As the hustings moved on to ICU attended than on the other side of the hour compared to the 35 mins at St and Lung Institute and St Marys on Wednesday, few more people park, though the meeting lasted an continued on page two continued on page four 2 NEWS FELIX FRIDAY 16TH MAY Hustings "grilling" Presidential Interview continued from front page When asked what she would have Clare Bunston and New Mary's. The husting as described by done had she been president this Election face the grand Clare was "more intensive. I certain- year, she brought up two main inquisitor, Andrew ly got a grilling". This time round she points. Firstly was the loss of the Dorman-Smith, to per- was asked about her views on a bookstore, she saw it "was a great broader range of subjects, although shame because it meant that, suade us why we should the focus was still on the merger. although college has increased the Interview by Andrew, edited by ]lten vote for them. More questions were based around union's funding by £20,000 to her and her experience within the replace the income lost, it makes the Andrew Dorman Smith: So, New CB: Until I'm in that position, I union, in which she admitted that she union more dependent on the col- Election tell us about yourself. don't really know enough about it, has never turned up to a ICU council leges finances as opposed to being New Election: I'm afraid. meeting and her only involvement independent body, but it has also cre- Basically, New Election is your ADS: So you can't tell us how you has been in the Entertainments com- ated a greater profile for the union as opportunity to vote to re-open nomi- are going to achieve one of your mittee and being a DJ. a whole as students have became nations. This time of year is particu- main priorities? Her mains goals as president next more aware of their services and out- larly bad for having elections many CB: Well, I would argue as best I year would be to "promote harmony lets". people still have exams and haven't could. I think that it is the general between the two unions by promot- Secondly was that she would not had the time to see what's going on consensus of opinion is that top-up ing inter contact in sports societies, have accepted the move of the exams in College. The view is that there fees wouldn't be good for the future. and also to fight about the issue of to the marquee, and believes that the are probably much stronger candi- ADS: On the NUS, do you think top up fees". A main point that union should have lead some kind of dates out there who haven't yet had there should be a referendum as to repeatedly turned up was how she a revolt with the students against the the chance or the time to stand this whether Imperial College views are saw the role of the additional sabbat- idea. She also commented that the time, so if you don't like the way expressed through the NUS? ical position intended to be created at president should be more accessible, the election is looking, if you don't CB: Yeah. the end of the next college year, her and that she would make herself like the candidate, vote New ADS: So you will carry out a refer- views was that the post should be a more visible around the union mak- Election and maybe we'll get third endum in your next year as presi- "Mary's" sabb and that it's main ing it easier for students to approach time lucky. dent? role, in it's first year at least, was to her. ADS: Thank you. We now turn to CB: Only if that was felt to be the aid the medics in their transition to When asked why she did not drink Clare Bunston. Clare, do you consensus of opinion. It doesn't the South Kensington site, she also the 8 pints that were bought for her as believe it's the Union's job to get really matter what I believe as a per- stated that the post should go to a a challenge, she said "I just had to more students interested in the son, it's just I have to consult other medic as they "understand the pres- keep my head up there, but I plan to Union? people and get the general feeling sure that a medical student is under finish the pints and carry on drinking CB: Yes, but it's really hard to get ADS: But you'll be the President of better than an IC student." till late into the night." people involved who have no inten- Imperial college... tion of getting involved. CB: NO, 'cos even though your the ADS: Exactly that's the whole president, you mustn't just...I can't Lives saved from fire dilemma, how are you going to get just make decisions just because I those students involved? am the president, its important that I KELLY ROBINSON AND donning the appropriate safety gear. CB: I don't know. I would just do have got the information to make MAHLINA PONNIAH Once the flies were out of harm's my best, hopefully I would be seen these decisions from my colleagues. Thousands of lives were heroically way Mr Cox used a nearby carbon as a President who is a normal ADS: OK, You've talked a lot saved on Tuesday when the air-con- dioxide extinguisher to smother the human being who represents some- about St Mary's both at their own ditioning system in a Biochemistry "flames" and Mr Rogers switched thing that anyone can be a part of, hustings and at here.